~ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

Tag Archives: Palm Sunday

Jesus has been spreading God’s love throughout Judea. He has healed many, brought many to new faith in and a better understanding of Jehovah God, and pointed many to purity in life. (Jhn 9; Mat 9) Jesus has raised people from the dead. (Mat 9; Jhn 11) Jesus has comforted the ostracized. (Luk 7; 17) Jesus has been ministering throughout Judea for three years.

We remember the events surrounding Lazarus resurrection a short time ago. (Jhn 11) Remember, many attended that resurrection. People from around the area, as well as people from Jerusalem just a little less than a mile away from Bethany. There were many that came to comfort Lazarus’ family. There were many in attendance that supported Jesus, they came only to see Him. There were many that came to see Jesus’ reaction to Lazarus, these constituted mostly Pharisees, those loyal to the Sanhedrin and Sadducees.

Of these groups, we find those loyal to the religious leadership in direct opposition to Jesus to support their livelihood. We find the oppressed general populace Supporting Jesus. Therefore, those connected politically, materially or financially to the leadership, or those that see their life’s identity and dependency through the lens of material and financial success, side with the leadership. This is akin to individuals who vote for candidates that appear beneficial to their business interests as opposed to what may be more pressing national needs. This is why we vote for more secular candidates. What a parallel. The scriptures evidence and instruction of 2000 years ago is directly applicable to today.

The people flocked to Jesus because He gave them truth of a loving God that was involved in their lives. Jesus shared His loving Father with the people (Jhn 14:7; 9) They saw a loving Father in Heaven. The people knew the attitudes of their worldly leaders and that they would be exploited by them for profit. This was normal in the life of the first century. The people of the time knew what they were dealing with. They needed other hope, they needed a savior.

Jesus was brought to Jerusalem on Sunday morning the week of the passover with exaltation, pomp and circumstance. He fulfilled many scriptural prophecies in the events that we today celebrate as Palm Sunday. The Scriptures are true. Jesus is the Messiah. This final week begins this Palm Sunday.

In John 12:12-19 we find that things are coming to a head in Judah. All over the nation people know about the Messiah. The chosen people of God have either seen him or heard others witness of him. Jesus traveled throughout the countryside from the North to the South, from the East to the West. From the healings he performed North of the Sea of Galilee, to the teaching Jesus did in the hills above Tiberius; from the towns like Sychar in Samaria to the towns West of the Jordan in Canaan, people all over Judah have been following Jesus, coming out of towns in droves to hear Him, believing in Him.

We have what is known today as an establishment class – an elitist class of people who believe they know what is best for the masses. They manipulate social environments and even processes in our election system to promote themselves. They make promises to the masses and regularly renege on them. What we see here today is what Israel had in their day. They did not have elections, but they did have arrogant leaders who believed they needed to micromanage everyone’s lives. Jesus was teaching the people that their relationship is between themselves and the Lord. He was teaching a heart change spiritual relationship with the Father. This made individuals responsible to God and took power from those in the temple, the professional class of clergy.

Don’t misunderstand, Jesus went to synagogue every time He was near one. He made great treks on foot to get to the Jewish festivals. Attending church was so important to Jesus “he gave himself for it.” (Eph 5:25).

Therefore, there are two groups of people in Judah. Those seeking a leader and those fighting to retain their power. This is the dichotomy we have even today. There is no wonder that we see so many people right in Bethany who heard Jesus was coming, gathered in Lazarus’ house, listened to the testimony of many who witnessed his resurrection, now they wanted to come and see. (Jhn 12:9)

The people in Bethany, whether citizens thereof or from Jerusalem, very much want to welcome Jesus. They naturally want to usher Jesus into Jerusalem, they want Him to be their leader. They still want to make Him king. (Jhn 6:15) They believe He will deliver them from Roman oppression, the people never saw that the real oppression was through the temple leadership that drove them away from the Father.

The truth is that we should seek the Savior for our freedom. The chains that bind us to the world are stronger than we are, but they are broken by the Savior. Seek a deep and abiding relationship with our Savior and be free. Those laying palm fronds at Christ’s feet this day so many years ago saw Him as a king of Judah. The freedom and liberty they sought, albeit misguided and worldly in focus, is only born from the King of Kings. He has the power and all Israel recognized this truth.

2017 Vacation Bible School

Hosted by Pastor Tim Silcott 7-11 August. Come join us all.

Knowing You Are Saved

Pastor Tim's new book describes great assurances of salvation in 1 John. Every Christian wonders at some point if they are saved. John writes in vibrant, personal and intimate terms exactly how we can know we are saved.